eBay: if you’re buying an iPhone 6, sell your existing iPhone now

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If you’re the type to grab the next Apple product the day it is available, there’s a good chance you are already familiar with selling your current hardware to pay for the next version. The folks at eBay have been paying attention to the last couple of iPhone launches, and apparently the time has come to prepare your current phone for departure if you expect to get the most money back.

There’s no shortage of rumor and hinting, short of an official invite from Apple, suggesting that the announcement for the iPhone 6 is right around the corner. We know from previous events that Apple will make its hardware available in store and shipping to households shortly after, which means the first two weeks of September might as well have Apple’s logo splashed across it in your calendar. Of course, if you are planning to sell your current device to pay for the new model, you’ll need to start making those preparations as well.

According to eBay, peak iPhone sales times are from September 1 to October 24 this year. The earlier end of that spectrum is a little harder to plan for, since that means you’d be a couple of days without a phone if you decided to sell before the 6 is announced or launched. The last few years of Apple releases have provided eBay with plenty of information, including the average demand and price for those looking to buy the previous versions of the iPhone at discounted rates.

If you’re looking to get close to $300 for your current iPhone, the eBay infographic seems to suggest they have a foolproof plan to make sure your phone gets sold. In fact, eBay plans to offer a $100 coupon to anyone who puts their iPhone up for auction within that peak selling time and doesn’t make a sale. There’s sure to be some additional rules around that, but it’s an impressive demonstration of their confidence.